The Last Call

an audio play by Ernio Hernandez

MUSIC: Fade in on middle of a song. Guitar music plays a few bars, voice sings over final notes.

AHOTE (into microphone) …So, just get out of here, take the keys to my truck, ’cause frankly my dear, I don’t give a fuck.

SOUND: A “woo” amid light applause.

AHOTE Thank you. I am Ahote Black. I’m gonna take a little break now and be back in a few.

SOUND: A guitar and gear being set down.

AHOTE Oh, if that’s the one you came for, the rest of my setlist is nothing like it and I don’t want to piss anyone off, so… have a good night.

SOUND: A few claps, awkward laughs.

SOUND: Phone dialing and picked up.

SKY (answering, through phone) Hey Maya, what’s up?

MAYORCA Oh, Sky, you’re a sound for sore ears.

SKY You need me to come in, don’t you?

MAYORCA I know it’s your night off, and I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t Ahote’s last night. Two! I have two of the damn millennials on the schedule and neither one has even texted. And they can’t be bothered to actually pick up a call.

SKY That’s not how phones work now, Maya. (exaggerated sigh) Let me put on a bra and I’ll be right down.

MAYORCA (laughing) I owe you three. My tips are yours tonight.

SKY Mama, I love you, but keep your tips. I’ll be good.

MAYORCA Extra night off next week then.

SKY Sold.

SOUND: Phone hung up.

VY Hi!

MAYORCA Oh, just a second, sorry. What can I get you, hon?

VY Sure, an IPA?

MAYORCA Brown Pete’s okay?

VY Yes. Thanks.

VY Did I hear you say tonight was Ahote’s last night?

MAYORCA Yeah. I can hardly believe it.

SOUND: Glass setting and pouring of beer.

VY But he’s been here since you guys opened, right?

MAYORCA Almost. Well, just about. He came to our first attempt at an open mic night. First and ONLY I should say. He was a godsend.

VY Wow, where’s he going?

NEMA (shouting abruptly) He’s going to be famous!

MAYORCA That I don’t know. (to Nema) Hey hon, can I get you another?

NEMA (slurred speech) Me? Ohh, uh, uhhh, NO! No, I’m okay for now.

MAYORCA Okay, wave me down if you’re ready for another. Food? Anything from the kitchen?

NEMA No. Nothing yet. Thanks.

VY How much do I owe you?

MAYORCA Five’ll do it.

VY Thanks. Oh, speaking of Ahote, I’m supposed to meet his manager here? Tate?

MAYORCA (laughing) Oh is that what he’s calling himself now? Manager?

VY Uhh. That’s what he told me.

MAYORCA Huh. Behind you there, long brown hair, wheelchair.

VY Thanks again.

SOUND: Footsteps walking.

VY Excuse me, Tate?

TATE Yeah?

VY Hi, it’s Vy, Stream Magazine, we emailed each other.

TATE Vy, yes! Hi, sorry. Please, please come, sit.

VY Thanks. Actually, do you mind if I just set my drink down and hit the ladies’ before we chat?

TATE Not at all, past the stage on the right.

VY Perfect.

SOUND: Footsteps walking, clicks of phone, dialing sound.

VOICE: (on phone) Thank you for calling Stream? How may I direct your call.

VY Hey Seana, it’s Vy. Can you get RJ, have him send me a tech with a camera and sound kit. At the Vista Maya downtown. I’ll text him the address. Tell him I’ve got something good.

SOUND: Click of phone hung up.

SOUND: Stagedoor opening, closing, muffled music from within.

FAN Hey, Ahote!

AHOTE Hey, man.

FAN Wanna bum a smoke?

AHOTE Thanks kid, but I quit that shit a long time ago.

FAN I know, I should to.

AHOTE Your life, kid. Live it like you want. Just not for me.

PASSING FANGIRLS Hey “A-Hottie!”

SKY (mimicking) Ohh, Ahote, have my babies!

AHOTE Ugh, hey Sky.

SKY Enjoying the spoils of your fame yet?

AHOTE You curse at the end of one song and suddenly everyone’s listening.

SKY Hipsters, what can you do?

AHOTE Blame my brother, I guess. Hey, thought you were off tonight?

SKY You and me both. Thems the breaks when you live above the office.

AHOTE Something about shitting where you eat, right?

SKY Yeah. Hey, sure you don’t want to stick around for a little longer? ride this out a bit? I certainly can use the extra tips now that you’re bringing them in.

AHOTE Nah. Gonna take a little break from it all. My brother’s been working me to the bone, recording all my old shit.

SKY Alright. Well, hey if I don’t see ya around later, “Thanks for the memories.” Gonna miss your sorry ass.

AHOTE Thanks, Sky.

SKY Let me get in there, before Maya drowns herself in the rum.

AHOTE There are worse ways to go.

SKY Ha. Say that again.

SOUND: Sky opens door, music swells and door shuts, footsteps.

TATE Hi, Sky!

SKY Tate. Lemme check in with Maya, you good?

TATE Oh yeah, fine for now. (to Vy) You need anything?

VY Nope.

TATE (to Sky) All good, go settle in.

SKY Told your brother not to leave us.

TATE I know.

SKY Fucker!

TATE That’s Sky, one of the regular waitresses here.

VY Great. So, seems like a good crowd, a good gig, he’s in with the staff, why is your brother leaving?

TATE Oh, well… he’s gonna concentrate on recording some more, got some studio time lined up, he’s gonna take advantage of the time while he’s got it.

VY While he’s got it? He’s not sick, is he?

TATE No. Oh, no, nothing like that. Just a shift in focus. His new song is really taking off, getting airtime on a lot of the college and indie stations.

VY Since the commercial…?

TATE Yeah, they heard about his work and asked for the rights. It’s a good company, so we thought it was a good move for him right now.

VY When did you start helping your brother out?

TATE Well, all my life really…

VY Of course, but in a managerial sense, I mean.

TATE Ah, well. (A sigh.)

VY Pardon, I don’t mean to pry.

TATE No, it’s okay. I suppose I kinda stepped up really back when we lost our parents.

VY Sorry, I didn’t know. Was it sudden?

TATE Yeah, car accident. Mom and I were on the side of impact. That’s how I earned these wheels. Steering column collapsed my Dad’s lung, both our parents pronounced dead on the scene.

VY Oh my God. And Ahote?

TATE He escaped the hands of Death without a single scratch.

SOUND: Bell. VOICE: Order up!

MAYORCA Thank you, mijo.

SOUND: Plate on bar.

MAYORCA Here you go, hon.

NEMA Oh. I didn’t order this.

MAYORCA No. I did for you, Nema. On the house.

NEMA Oh, thanks…

MAYORCA You’re drinking a little more than usual. Not good on an empty stomach, hon.

NEMA Thank you, sorry. Guess I’m a little nervous.

MAYORCA Blind date?

NEMA Oh. No. Just. I was hoping to talk to Ahote.

MAYORCA Little liquid courage, I get it. Just eat a little something, I don’t want to have to haul you out of here on a stretcher.

NEMA Sure.

MAYORCA Speak of the devil…

AHOTE I prefer fallen spirit.

MAYORCA Can I get you a last supper?

AHOTE I was thinking a drink, but I wouldn’t say no to one of those midnight sandwiches.

MAYORCA Medianoche, coming up. Bring it to the back for you?

AHOTE Perfect. Thanks, Maya.

MAYORCA Another beer?

AHOTE Nah. My throat is pretty rough tonight.

NEMA I think you sound great, Ahote.

AHOTE Thanks, darling. (to Mayorca) Can I get another shot of whiskey with some lemon and honey?

MAYORCA Yeah, lemme go grab some honey.

NEMA I read that Ahote means “restless one.”

AHOTE I wouldn’t believe everything you read. But if the shoe fits…

SOUND: Footsteps approaching.

TATE Ahote. Ahote, I’d like you to meet Vy.

AHOTE Hi, Vy. I was actually just heading backstage.

TATE She’s the music writer who was talking about a feature.

AHOTE I’d love to chat, but the pipes are a little rusty tonight. Mind if we talk later?

VY I’m here to listen too. Happy to let you finish your set.

AHOTE Mighty kind of you.

VY I’ll go patch into the soundboard, Tate. Nice to meet you, Ahote. Speak to you later.

SOUND: Glass on bar.

MAYORCA Here you go, Ahote.

TATE Hey, I need you to talk to Vy.

AHOTE I will, Tate. I said I would.

TATE You coulda been a little nicer, she’s thinking of doing a whole spread on you.

AHOTE Tate, I said I’d talk to her. If you didn’t have me recording all week, maybe my throat wouldn’t be so fucking sore.

TATE Fine.

MAYORCA Ahote, your medianoche awaits. One more whiskey?

SOUND: Swig and glass on bar.

AHOTE (exhales) Yeah, thanks.

SOUND: Pouring in glass.

TATE Have a good set.

SOUND: Footsteps.

MAYORCA You’re pushing him too hard, Tate.

TATE Well, I wish I didn’t have to Maya, but…

MAYORCA (abruptly) I know. I asked you to not…

TATE Just saying, it’d be easier if we weren’t losing this gig.

MAYORCA (through her teeth) I said not here.

TATE Fine. Can you have Sky help set up Vy with sound?

MAYORCA Looks like she’s already talking to her.

TATE Oh. Great.

NEMA Tate.

TATE Huh?

NEMA Tate? Hello, I’m Nema.

TATE Yeah, hey how are you.

NEMA Great. Can I talk to Ahote later too?

TATE What?

NEMA Can you set up a time for me?

TATE For what?

NEMA Oh, sorry, no I thought. I don’t know.

MAYORCA Nema’s a big fan of your brother. (whispers to Tate) She’s had a few too many. Be gentle.

TATE Oh, sure. Well, he’s got a big interview with a magazine after the show, hon, so I don’t know if he’ll have time.

NEMA Oh. Ok. He’s your brother?

TATE Yeah.

NEMA Wow. That’s amazing. You look nothing alike.

TATE Look, I can get you a signed photo, but I’m sorry I can’t do much else for you tonight.

NEMA A photo, thanks. Can he sign it “To Nema,” I’ve been his #1 fan since I first saw him here.

TATE That’s nice. I’ll see what I can do.

NEMA Thank you. It’s Nema. N-E-M-A.

TATE Sure. Got it.

NEMA Oh, Tate. He’s going to be famous.

VOICE: 911. What’s your emergency?

MAYORCA (through phone) I need an ambulance!

VOICE: Is someone hurt?

MAYORCA Yes, yes… Please send an ambulance.

VOICE: What’s your name, ma’am?

MAYORCA Maya, sorry it’s Mayorca. I’m at the Vista Maya on 3rd.

VOICE: Mayorca, is the person hurt conscious? Are they breathing?

MAYORCA I don’t know, I can’t see. Please send someone…

VOICE: Dispatch is sending help. Are you in any danger? (pause) Mayorca? Hello, are you there?

SKY Hey, honey, you lost again?

NEMA Oh. No, I’m okay.

SKY Ladies’ room is on the other side of the stage. This is performers only.

NEMA Oh. Okay.

SKY Too much to drink tonight?

NEMA Yeah. Sorry. Thanks, darling.

SKY Mm-hmm.

SOUND: Footsteps. Two knocks on a door and door opening.

SKY Ahote, you almost ready?… Oh Tate, didn’t know you were in here.

TATE Hey, everything all set with Vy?

SKY Yep.

TATE Did she ask you about Ahote or me?

SKY Uhh, mostly about Ahote. Why?

TATE No big deal, just have her talk to me if she asks about us.

SKY Okayyy. Ahote, the natives are getting restless.

AHOTE No offense taken.

SKY Maya said she’s got some brandy if it’ll help.

AHOTE No thanks. I’ll be fine.

SKY See ya out there.

SOUND: Door closing.

AHOTE Look, brother, can we finish this later.

TATE I’m trying to help you.

AHOTE I know, I get it. I just don’t want to record anymore and I don’t want to put out some shitty album.

TATE We’re out of money, Ahote!

AHOTE WE are?

TATE I told you the settlement wouldn’t last forever. Your little problem in Reno didn’t help us much either.

AHOTE How many times are you going to hold that over my head? Like you’ve never made mistakes!

TATE Look, it’s done. We dealt with it, but we can’t get that back.

AHOTE So I’ll find some other gig.

TATE I’m just saying, we need this.

AHOTE Okay. Whatever.

TATE You gave me shit about the commercial, you gave me shit about all the recording, but the company paid us for that studio time. And the paycheck will cover the costs of…

AHOTE I said OKAY! (sighs) Can you give me a minute to myself before I have to go out there and sing my fuckin’ swan song.

TATE Fine.

SOUND: Door opening and closing.

VY (into phone) RJ, I had no idea it was his last night. I stumbled into it. That alone piqued my interest, I mean, he’s just starting to get some attention and now he’s… I don’t know, but there’s more. I just don’t have it yet. Something is off. The owner doesn’t know where he’s going and he’s been playing here for years. And she laughed when I mentioned his brother was his manager. His brother just seems to be feeding me the party line to spin a feature.

SOUND: Steps on stage. Applause. Guitar strums.

VY I’ll get it.

AHOTE (into microphone) Thanks for sticking around.

VY Let me get back to you.

TATE (to Maya) My head is spinning. Can I get some ginger ale?

SOUND: Pouring.

MAYORCA Here you go.

TATE I found a photo of Ahote and had him sign it for your friend. Where’d she go?

MAYORCA That I don’t know.

MUSIC: Strumming underscoring.

AHOTE This will be my last night here. So I figured, in some cosmic circle way, I’d take it back a bit to the first song I ever played here. The voice ain’t what it used to be, so forgive me for taking it down a notch.

SOUND: Tambourine.

AHOTE (to backup guy) You ready? (into microphone) Special thanks to my “spirit animal” here backing me up. And to Vista Maya, thank you for letting me play this long.

SKY Go to Hell!

AHOTE (laughing) Soon enough, Sky. Tip your waitress, everybody.

MUSIC: “Blood Heart”

SOUND: Applause.

NEMA Ahote! I love you, restless one.

SOUND: Gasps, a shriek, crowd shouts (“Oh my God” “AHH”).

VOICE: Gun!

SOUND: Two gunshots.

TATE Ahote! NO!

NEMA (shouting) You’re going to be famous! Hear me!

SOUND: Two gunshots.

NEMA I’m going to make you famous!

MUSIC: Fade in on Demo of “Blood Heart.”

AHOTE (in song) The world is set nothing is true You’re in my head what am I to do?

Just sit and wait til then.

Blood dripping out of my heart…

MICAH I’m Micah Taymor and you’re listening to “Aftermath” on BPR One. The song is “Blood Heart.” The singer, the late Ahote Black.

AHOTE (song) beating and bleeding anew You’re here in my arms but your life is now through This cannot be the end.

MICAH If you’re just joining us, that was an early recording of the indie music singer-songwriter whose burgeoning career came to a sudden end last year at the hands of a rabid fan. The storied event was particularly well-documented at the time by music journalist Vy Coleman Reed — who happened to witness the tragedy first-hand. Vy has been recounting the incident with us here in the studio. (to Vy) Thank you again for being here.

VY Of course, Micah, thank you for having me.

MICAH I understand that song was the last one Ahote ever sang on stage.

VY Indeed. He actually introduced the song as the first one he had performed there. And sadly, it turned out to be his last as well.

MICAH Black had performed at the now-defunct downtown venue, The Vista Maya, for nearly a decade. As Vy uncovered in her reporting, his standing gig was in danger of ending anyway.

VY Yes, the owner was in arrears on the rent for more than half a year. She managed to land a deal with a real estate developer and was about to start closing up shop. Ironically, Ahote’s popularity had just began to take off.

MICAH A lot of financial woe surrounding Ahote. The owner and, as you mentioned earlier in the program, Ahote’s brother Tate — who is serving time for tax fraud.

VY Glad you brought that up. What I forgot to mention before was the tax charges only came about after an investigation into possible ties to the assailant.

MICAH Did the police suspect foul play?

VY From my understanding, they were being thorough, acting on suspicions from a number of witnesses who had just seen the two talking that evening. Coupled with the fact that Nema’s body was found in Ahote’s apartment.

MICAH Nema Quialochi was the fan who shot Ahote Black and then took her own life later that evening.

VY Those suspicions were eventually ruled out. But not before a number of other red flags were raised.

MICAH Speaking of flags, my producer is waving me down to segue into our caller, whom I believe has further info on Tate. Hello, Sky, are you there?

SKY Mm-hmm. Hello, Micah. Hey Vy!

VY Hey, Sky.

MICAH Sky, of course, is Vy’s co-author on the book “American Idolatry,” which details the lead-up to as well as the mayhem that ensued at the Vista Maya that night.

SKY Thank you, Micah, for mentioning the book. I’m beyond proud of the picture we have painted of Ahote. And in a broader sense, that we speak to the fetishization of culture, death and idol worship.

MICAH The great American past-time?

SKY Well, not solely American, but we certainly do it bigger here. Think of the rise in popularity of artists like Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Tupac, Biggie, Selena, the list goes on.

VY It’s certainly not a new thing either, you can go back to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, John Lennon…

MICAH Although, arguably, these artists were on their way to legend status in their own right.

SKY No, of course, but the question becomes more “What’s their story?” — their tragedy becomes entwined with their talent, their music.

VY In fact, when I met Ahote, his brother fed me his “story”; tragic car accident, parents killed, sudden-exceptional musical talent.

MICAH Embellishment?

SKY Nu-uh. No, Micah: Pathological lies. Tate, was relentless in his thirst for attention.

VY He spun such a web of deceit.

SKY Micah, I have a big spoiler. I hate to ruin the book for everyone, but Vy, we finally got confirmation…

VY I just saw the text from our publisher.

SKY This wasn’t in any of the advanced copies, but it will make it to the first print…

MICAH We don’t usually break news on this show, but go ahead.

SKY Tate and Ahote were not related.

VY The very first conversation Sky and I had — on that night I was to interview Ahote — she confirmed that he once revealed to her their true relation. It took this long to dig up and verify all that information. I’ll leave the detail for the book, but we can now disclose they crossed paths in foster care and also… in prison.

MICAH Wow. And it seems “the legend of Ahote Black” continues…

VY It’s a taller tale than anyone expected.

SKY And dark. And handsome. Of course.

MICAH Ha, well there you have it. Thank you, Vy. Thank you, Sky. That’s all the time we have today. For more from our conversation with these authors, subscribe to the “Aftermath” podcast on the BPR One website and you can also pre-order “American Idolatry” from our homepage. As usual, one lucky caller gets a free copy, and that is…

SOUND: Punching button.

…you! Hello, what’s your name?

CALLER Hi…Blake.

MICAH Blake, you will receive a signed copy of the book along with a BPR One t-shirt and an extended digital download of today’s show.

CALLER Sounds great.

MICAH Thanks for listening. “Aftermath” is brought to you by The Maria Stella Foundation. Mark Lucas-Jackson produces for BPR One. Special thanks to Christina Gustav and The Owl’s Roost.

PRODUCER (via speaker) And we’re out.

MICAH Thanks for coming in, Vy. Looking forward to the book. Best of luck.

VY Take care. Thank you again, this was fun.

PRODUCER (via speaker) Micah, our caller wants a second?

MICAH Sure thing.

SOUND: Punching button.

MICAH Hey… was it Blake? This is Micah, what can I do for you?

CALLER Hi. Great show.

MICAH Thanks, man.

CALLER Yeah, I was just wondering, the song you played earlier…

MICAH “Blood Heart?”

CALLER Yeah, s’been a while since I’ve heard it like that… just wondering where you got the recording?

MICAH Ah, an Ahote fan?

CALLER Yeah, guess I am.

MICAH I believe it was a live recording we got from the author you heard, Sky. If we can, we’ll include a copy for you with the download. Sound good?

CALLER Thanks, man. Wow. I’d appreciate that.

MICAH Not a problem. Have a good one.

CALLER Send my thanks to Sky. Tell her “Thanks for the memories.”

The Last Call is an audioplay written by Ernio Hernandez. The original production by Cocotazo Media is available via iTunes and Google Play.

The Last Call by Ernio Hernandez

Copyright ©2017 | Ernio Hernandez | All Rights Reserved. (For permission to perform, contact author at ernio @ ernio.com)

Ernio Hernandez is a writer of plays, poems, short stories, essays, humor and other flights of fancy.​

Other plays: My Condolences | One Swipe Left | The Middle of Things | Translation by | Ajar, by the Door